Suzuki went back to the drawing board for its famous ‘Gixxer’ sports bike, and the 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 is the final result. And now, it’s available in Australia.
Featuring an improved power-to-weight ratio and end-to-end upgrades including a completely redesigned chassis and engine, as well as major development work for the suspension and brakes, Suzuki’s all-new litre-bike hero promises to be a whole new experience for sports riders.
The new ‘Gixxer’ packs a new 999cc four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine, lighter and shorter than the previous generation and featuring the Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) fuel-injection system.
Suzuki says the new engine delivers improved performance and throttle response right through the rpm range, as well as reducing emissions.
“The reaction the new generation, 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 has received since it was launched last year has been incredible,” Perry Morison, General Manager Motorcycles, Suzuki Australia, said.
“It’s been getting rave reviews from enthusiasts, racers and motorcycling publications around the world, and the countdown has been on until its Australian arrival.
The new, smaller engine gave Suzuki’s engineers the ability to design a more compact chassis, featuring a new twin-spar cradle frame, 100mm-shorter wheelbase and a 33mm-longer swingarm for improved handling and acceleration.
“The GSX-R1000 has always been a class-defining superbike, and Suzuki engineers have made that package even better with the new 2009 model.
“With American and British Superbike wins on debut, the all-new GSX-R1000 has already demonstrated its pedigree on the racetrack.”
The six-speed transmission is built on a new layout, with ratios carefully selected for optimum racetrack performance. To help with this, the 2009 GSX-R1000 is fitted with a revised back-torque-limiting clutch for improved lever feel and feedback.
Developed with the racetrack in its sights, Suzuki’s new hero bike is fitted with two large-volume MotoGP-inspired titanium mufflers and a larger trapezoidal radiator for reduced drag.
The new Big Piston Frontfork (BPF) suspension was developed in cooperation between Suzuki and Showa, and uses a single 39.6mm upper piston riding against the inside wall of the inner fork tube, with fork springs relocated to the bottom of each fork leg for improved weight and greater feedback.
The back suspension has received as much attention, with a Showa rear shock absorber featuring adjustable rebound damping, spring preload, and high and low-speed compression daming. The GSX-R1000 is also fitted with an electronically-controlled automatic steering damper.
Riders can choose from three different engine maps to suit conditions and preferred style, using Suzuki’s Drive Model Select (S-DMS).
The 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 has undergone extensive wind tunnel development to back up the sharp, aggressive styling, and can be had in Blue/White, White/Silver, and Black/Mat Black liveries, for $18,990 RRP plus on-road costs.
